A recent report by a National Academy of Sciences (NAS)
panel of experts noted a high rate of concussions suffered by high school athletes
versus college participants in some sports, including football. The report -- Sports
Related Concussions in Youth: Improving Science, Changing the Culture --
provided a broad examination of concussions in multiple youth sports of
athletes ages 5 to 21.

The 305-page, NFL-funded study found that high school
football players suffered 11.2 concussions per 10,000 athletic exposures (each
exposure representing a practice or game) compared to 6.3 exposures for college
football players.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention defines
a concussion as "a type of traumatic brain injury, or TBI, caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to
the head that can change the way your brain normally works. Concussions can
also occur from a fall or a blow to the body that causes the head and brain to
move quickly back and forth." Symptoms may include: confusion, responding
slowly to questions, dazed or stunned, move clumsily, and loss of consciousness
(any duration).

The NAS committee
found little evidence that current sports helmet designs reduced the risk of
concussions. It stressed that properly fitted helmets, face masks and mouth
guards should still be used, because they reduce the risk of other injuries such
as skull fractures, bleeding inside the skull and injuries to the eyes, face
and mouth.

The report made
reference to that fact that young athletes in the U.S. face a "culture of
resistance to reporting when they might have a concussion and complying with
treatment plans, which could endanger their well-being."

The Louisiana Youth
Concussion Act mandates that every coach undergo concussion training each year
to have more trained eyes on the sidelines to identify any athlete suspected of
having a concussion. The "when in doubt,
sit them out" rule can prevent many young athletes from potential complication
from a missed concussion diagnosis, said Dan Pellerito, head certified athletic
trainer at Isidore Newman School.

According to
Dr. Wendy Jamison, a neurologist at East Jefferson General Hospital,

"Evidence is showing that athletes of high school age and younger take
longer to recover from a concussion than college athletes."

Several studies
note that the number and severity of concussion symptoms is greater in athletes
with a previous history of two or more concussions, while athletes with a
history of prior concussions may have more severe subsequent concussions and
may take longer to recover.

Jamison added,
"The newest guidelines from the American Academy of
Neurology state that the period of greatest risk for being diagnosed with
another concussion is the first 10 days after initial concussion."

So far this
year, there have been 83 concussions across the NFL, with Jacksonville leading
the list with six.

In Week 9, the
Saints noted on their injury report that safety Kenny Vaccaro was "questionable"
for the Jets game with a concussion/back injury.

The Saints lost
running back Darren Sproles against the Jets when he suffered a concussion on
the first drive. However, Sproles was back at practice Wednesday and said he'll
play Sunday night vs. the Dallas Cowboys.

Last Sunday, a
Newark Star-Ledger story referred to former Jets receiver Al Toon's "history of
concussions" that ultimately forced him to retire after the 1992 season at 29.

This week former
Cowboys great Tony Dorsett was diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain condition
that scientists believe is linked to concussions. CTE can lead to depression,
dementia and suicide.

The NAS
committee reviewed surveys of retired professional athletes, which provided evidence
that a history of multiple concussions increases the risk for depression. A
survey of over 2,500 retired pro football players demonstrated that roughly 11
percent reported having a previous or current diagnosis of clinical depression.

As
for treatment and appropriate follow-up care of a young athlete suspected of
sustaining a concussion, Dr. Robert Graham, chairman of the NAS study committee,
said, "A potentially concussive injury requires removing the athlete from play,
caring for the injury appropriately in both the acute stage and during the
recovery process, and returning to play only when he or she has recovered
demonstrably and is no longer having any symptoms.

"An individualized treatment plan that includes physical and mental rest may
be beneficial for recovery from a concussion, but current research does not
indicate a standard or universal level and duration of rest needed."

Are you ready for some football?

Mackie Shilstone, a regular contributor to
NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune, has been involved in the wellness sports
performance industry for nearly 40 years. He is currently the fitness coach for
Serena Williams and has trained numerous other professional athletes and
consulted a litany of professional sports franchises. He's the Executive
Director of the Fitness Principle with Mackie Shilstone at East Jefferson
General Hospital. Contact him at mackieshilstone.com